Best Raised Dog Bed Reviews 2018

Raised dog beds sell at a price range from as low as $34 to as much as $159 (and even more, especially if we’re talking about luxury raised dog bed). It all depends on the materials used in the manufacture of the bed, the complexity of the design and the brand. Most people wonder why a piece of fabric stretched over some PVC pipes, which is what most raised dog beds look like, should cost so much, and we’ve seen D-I-Yers try to put one together for themselves. However, we’d like to make it known that, while it isn’t rocket science, there’s actually a lot of thought and research that goes into the production of these pieces. Good manufacturers usually consider the capacity of both the fabric and frame before deciding on which to use and always state the weight limit for each product as a lot of calculations, physics and some chemistry is done before introduction into the market.

There are frames of raised dog beds from aluminum and there are those from steel; there are those from wood and there are others from PVC. Some of these beds sport innovative, techy fabric while others have a good old sturdy fabric on it. Whatever the case may be, you should understand that the health and safety of your furry best friend is your responsibility and should not be entrusted to cheap raised dog beds (you wouldn’t do that to yourself would you? So, don’t do that to your pooch).

Dog lovers and owners may have, at one point or the other, encountered dogs with dysplasia or dogs with bone injuries. Their whines, when they’re getting up in the morning, are usually heart-wrenching and you just want to help. Well, with a raised dog bed you can as the dog gets to rest its body on a surface that’s firm but not as hard as the floor. However, you should consider certain features such as the type of fabric as you don’t want your dog to slip or have to be extra-cautious while on the bed. Trust us when we say it’s a pain watching a dog trying to be careful when all he/she wants to do is plop down or play.

Here are some other important features to consider:

• Type, i.e. cot style or traditional-style stuffed raised dog bed
• Capacity, i.e. how many pounds of dog the raised dog bed can safely carry
• Frame material
• Dimensions of the bed
• Weight
• Versatility, i.e. indoor or outdoor
• Maintenance; how easy it is to wash, clean
• Extras such as chewproof, flameproof, orthopedic etc.

The advantage the raised dog bed has over the mat or pillow on the floor is elevation. This provides room for airflow around and beneath the dog, thus cooling her on hot days and keeping her off the cold floor on chilly days. They’re usually raised about 5 to 7 inches from the ground, and here we’d want to caution that you ensure that the raised dog bed you choose isn’t so high that your dog has to strain to get on it. Remember, we’ve earlier discussed that this style of dog bed is especially useful at calming dogs with bone issues, so we don’t want to have them endure undue stress whenever they want to get onto their favorite bed.

There are different fabrics used in the construction of the raised bed cover and a popular design is the fabric that’s breathable. Breathable fabric allows air to pass through it to the dog above whilst allowing the passage of the hot air from the dog through it. Some raised dog beds feature a sturdy, thick but resilient fabric bordering a breathable mesh material while others are entirely made of some air-permeable fabric. Whatever be the case, the fabric should be tough enough to stand up to doggy abuse as it will surely get some of that, especially with hyperactive and mischievous dogs. Avoid mesh with weave large enough for the dog’s claws to get hooked on.

The fabric should also be easy to clean and disinfect; a waterproof material that doesn’t absorb fluids will be great. Another thing of note on this issue is to ensure that the holes at the corners of the raised bed shouldn’t be so large as to avoid your dog’s foot getting accidently caught in any of it.

Now we move on to the metal frame. The frames of these beds are popularly made of PVC, wood, aluminum and steel. They’re usually tubular with connectors or fasteners joining one tube to the other. Beds with plastic frames won’t survive a chew-happy dog; there’s also the danger of its choking on the fragments of plastic. The wooden frames are seen more in the traditional-style stuffed raised dog bed. The aluminum and steel frames offer the most reliable support but are also prone to rusting. The solution is to coat the frame in anti-rust paint, although some of them have finish applied by the manufacturing to this end. We also suggest you ensure that the connectors and fasteners are of durable stock; if there’s any breakage, some companies offer replacement parts.

For the more technologically advanced dog owners, there are raised dog beds that offer self-cooling and self-warming covers. The principle at work here is that of conduction; these beds contain cooling gel or water and the process of heat transfer from your dog’s body to the foam makes the body feel cooler. However, some people are of the opinion that this cooling effect doesn’t last long.

The cot style raised dog bed is ultimately easier to clean and wash than its stuffed counterpart. They’re also lighter, portable and can be taken outdoors on camping trips and so on. If you aren’t going to be moving your raised dog bed around then you may consider the traditional-style dog bed which come in a myriad of styles, designs, colors and pattern that will fit any room décor. They also come in a wider range of fabric than their cot counterparts such as faux leather, faux fur, damask, fabric options not usually available with the cot but undoubtedly more stylish.

The chew-proof design is also an advantage the raised dog bed has over the regular ones. They’re usually designed to outlast a dog’s chewy mischievous phase. Some of the fabrics, like Cordura, are able to withstand scratching from dogs without any loss in its effectiveness. Some raised beds feature a design that lets the fabric slide into the tubes of the frame, thus preventing damage from chew-happy dogs.

The ease with which the pieces of a raised dog bed are put together and taken apart is also worthy of note. If you’re going to take it along with you on camping trips and picnics, you’ll need to consider one that’s easy to set up and disassemble or unobtrusive enough to carry around.

The weight limit is usually given by the manufacturer and we advise you adhere to it as it was arrived at after a lot of research. Most, if not all, companies make these beds in different sizes, so you should be able to find one that comfortably carry your dog’s weight.